A CONTROVERSIAL design for a "gateway" building at a new development has been approved despite councillors' reservations.

Proposals to build a McDonald's restaurant at the leisure development on the outskirts of Middlesbrough were first put before councillors last December.

After deciding that the suggested design would not present the appropriate image to people coming into the town, they asked the firm to go back to the drawing board.

At a meeting of Middlesbrough Borough Council's planning committee, new plans were unveiled, but several councillors were not impressed with the £7.8m structure with a metal cantilevered roof.

Councillor Bob Smith, a Brookfield ward councillor, said: "People coming into Middlesbrough are going to see a great big M sign for years to come. This is a case of Teesside Park coming to Middlesbrough and I object to it most strongly."

While approval has already been granted for a Virgin cinema, fitness unit and nightclub on Block A of the site, progress has been slow on Block B, where the restaurant will stand.

Coun Smith described it as "the most visible corner of Middlesbrough". Planning officer Ernie Vickers warned that without the restaurant, Block B could not proceed, and councillors voted in its favour by a majority of one